MIDDLETOWN -- It started out as a routine call to Catales, a nonprofit cat rescue organization located in Middletown. Someone had noticed a cat dragging its hind quarters and called the group of volunteers for help.

A volunteer trapper went to the area where the animal was seen and set out a trap. Sydney, a male kitten, entered the trap and the volunteer discovered why the animal was dragging his hind-quarters -- he had a compound fracture of his rear leg and the bones were still protruding through the skin.

The volunteer quickly wrapped the animal in a blanket and brought him to Higganum Veterinary Hospital for treatment. The doctors there were able to set the fracture with pins and rods. After a couple of days, Sydney was moved to a foster home for further recovery.

Now Sydney is a healthy and lovable 6-month-old cat who is ready to be adopted. He has recovered fully -- can run and jump -- and has a sweet personality.

The volunteer, who has asked not to be named, said that even as they drove to the vet, Sydney just purred and licked her hand.

The veterinary bills added up, however, and Catales is in serious need of help in paying them.

Catales is a fully volunteer organization that cares for and adopts out homeless cats. They rescue cats and feed animals in colonies across Middlesex County. They are dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of cats by providing foster homes for homeless cats.

Through the foster homes, they supply food, medical care and temporary shelter for felines awaiting adoption. They give temporary shelter at their facility to special needs cats waiting for adoption. They also spay or neuter all cats placed for adoption or returned to one of the feral colonies. In addition, volunteers are involved in educating the public about responsible animal care and welfare.

But a rescue like Sydney can take a toll on a fragile budget said Sarah, a volunteer who declined to give her last name due to her responsibility for screening potential adoptive homes for the organization, and said after the veterinary bills that reached "into the thousands," the group is about $25,000 in debt, due to medical costs for multiple cats.

The rescue of Sydney came soon after the rehabilitation of another cat, named Spencer, who suffers from a birth defect that has rendered his back legs paralyzed. Due to his cerebral hypoplasia and kidney problems, Spencer needs to be cared for every six hours.

Under the care of Catales, he is doing better and will hopefully be fit with a device on wheels to help him move.

"We need a lot of help, but it's just so rewarding to know that these cats are going to find forever, loving homes," Sarah said.

Donations can be mailed to Catales Inc., P.O. Box 901, Middletown, CT 06457. Sydney is also ready to be adopted. He can be placed in a home with other cats and cat-friendly dogs, but no small children due to his serious injury. Anyone interested in adopting Sydney should call (860) 344-9043 or email info@catales.org. More information and updates can be found at catales.org.

CORRECTION: The email address for Catales has been corrected to info@catales.org.